Article Analysis Essay on "Accidents on the Road"

Introduction

First aid plays a very significant role in case of injuries or any medical emergencies. It refers to the interventions or the actions that a bystander or the victim can utilize to minimize the adverse effects when an emergency arises yet there are minimal or no medical equipment (Kureckova et al., 2017). While first aid is applicable in many areas, it is a factor that helps to reduce the damage and loss of life, especially in traffic accidents. Therefore, understanding the first aid procedures is very beneficial in making people ready to attend to any injuries by providing basic first aid assistance once the emergencies occur.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Summary of the Article

The article titled, Accidents on the road-how to help, by Emma Hammett and published on 18th April 2015 provides guidelines on the actions that people and especially drivers can undertake in a case where accidents occur (Hammett, 2015). While the article strongly proposes that people should undergo a first aid course, it stresses the importance of teaching the road users the basics of first aid so that they can help once an emergency arises. Also, the article recognizes that while first skills are taught as part of the driving classes in the European Union countries, it does not happen in the United Kingdom and therefore, these drivers often face challenges while figuring what to do in case they are involved in an accident. While approaching an accident scene, Hammett suggests that it is essential to ensure personal safety (Hammett, 2015). It is achieved by being careful and checking any incoming vehicles to avoid additional accidents. It is also essential to put a warning triangle to alert other motorist and pedestrians of the accident. Assess the situation and notify the emergency services through a phone call.

While cries and screams from the scene may attract most people, it is vital to begin by assessing the accident casualties that are silent to evaluate if they are responsive. If there are silent but breathing, place them in a position where they are leaning forward in a way that the airwave is open and if the casualty is not breathing, consider conducting a resuscitation on the victim. Also, it is advisable to avoid moving these casualties a lot, avoid covering their ears, keep them warm, and also support their head and neck to avoid twisting them. One should only remove an unconscious person from the vehicle if there is a potential danger of their life in regards to explosion or fire. This is because moving the victim more frequently may worsen the injuries. More importantly, keep talking to them calmly even though they are unresponsive but conscious. For the people that may be trapped in a car, it is vital to notify the emergency services immediately while monitoring the person. In case there is excessive bleeding, there is a need to control the situation to avoid loss of life. In this case, it is advisable to wear gloves and apply the necessary dressing on the injuries (Hammett, 2015).

Reflection

Based on the skills acquired from the course, it is evident that the article provides fundamental insights that can help in providing basic first aid help to causalities in case of an emergency. Although the article does not provide an in-depth analysis of the most suitable procedures, it gives the basic guidelines that can help to minimize the adverse effects once an accident happens. In most of the cases, accidents often find us off-guard and without these basic skills, it increases the extent of damage and the loss of life which may have been avoided using these basic action steps presented in the article.

Therefore, the guideline and procedures presented in the article are in agreement with the skills presented in the course. For example, most people often depend on emergency services in proving assistance once an accident happens. Although seeking their assistance is vital, sometimes their action may not be as immediate as expected. Sometimes s the ambulance may take longer than expected which may contribute to increasing the extent of damage that the accident causes. This may occur where for instance some causalities may die due to excessive bleeding yet with the basic first aid procedures; it is easy to address such problems.

The insights presented in the article are therefore significant in preparing a victim adequately for an emergency medical services EMS arrival (Hammett, 2015). Once faced with such a scenario, I would first call 911 and inform them of the accident instead of trying to take the casualties to the hospital by myself. Although sometimes the ambulance may take longer to get to the scene, the ambulance occupants often begin providing care to the victims immediately they arrive. Furthermore, they can help in getting the causalities to the hospital faster, legally, and more safely than taking doing it by myself (Kureckova et al., 2017). More importantly, based on the skills acquired through the course I would apply the guidelines presented in the article to enhance the safety and health of the casualties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that learning the basic first aid steps is key in minimizing the degree of damage that may be caused once an accident happens. Through the key steps presented in the article, drivers and onlookers can be of great help once involved in an accident.

References

Hammett, E. (2015). Accidents on the Road - how to help - First Aid for Life. Retrieved from https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/accidents-road-help/

Kureckova, V., Gabrhel, V., Zamecnik, P., Rezac, P., Zaoral, A., & Hobl, J. (2017). First aid as an important traffic safety factor - evaluation of the experience-based training. European Transport Research Review, 9(1). doi: 10.1007/s12544-016-0218-4